Epiphaniy "defrocks" head of UOC-KP Nikodym
Epifaniy Dumenko and head of UOC-KP Nikodym Kobzar. Photo: UOJ collage
On May 11, 2026, the Synod of the OCU under the leadership of Epifaniy Dumenko made a decision to "defrock" the head of the UOC-KP "Patriarch" Nikodym Kobzar, reports the OCU press service.
Dumenko's organization also found "guilty" of canonical violations the UOC-KP "bishops" Mykhailo Kovaliuk and Nykon Hrabliuk. OCU representatives stated that these persons no longer have priestly status and accused them of arbitrary actions.
The OCU Synod Secretariat issued a special statement claiming that the UOC-KP legally ceased to exist back in 2018.
Epifaniy's structure called the actions of Nikodym and his supporters an "unsuccessful attempt by a marginal group to create a schism" and saw "Russian interests" in this. The OCU leadership threatened similar punishments to all clerics who would support the Kyiv Patriarchate.
Additionally, the Synod relieved from duties the vicar of the Kyiv eparchy, "bishop" of Olvia Epifaniy Dimitriu. He permanently resides in Greece and has moved to the jurisdiction of the Constantinople Patriarchate. Patriarch Bartholomew has already confirmed in writing the Phanar's readiness to accept Dimitriu into its ranks.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the UOC-KP called the OCU a "structure without canonical succession".
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.